01.11.2012 | SPRINGFIELD -- Rev. Talbert W. Swan, President of the Springfield NAACP, talks with the editorial board of The Republican.File photo / The Republican

AGAWAM – The Greater Springfield NAACP will hold its annual membership banquet Thursday at Chez Josef. A social hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner starts at 6:45 p.m.

The theme of the event is “All in for Justice and Equality.” Nationwide, the NAACP has been working to equip vulnerable communities with the resources to fight back against attacks on fundamental voting rights, advance the case against gun control, fight racial health disparities and advocate for living wages.

The Greater Springfield NAACP has been pursuing this agenda, along with issues concerning education, health disparities, voting rights, racial profiling and other social justice issues, said Talbert Swan, president of the Greater Springfield branch of the NAACP.

The banquet also will celebrate the accomplishments of the Greater Springfield branch, which was chartered in 1918 and will recognize the accomplishments of community residents through an awards ceremony.